Chicago Restaurant Offers Free Lunch To Furloughed Federal Workers

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Furloughed federal workers may have gone without a paycheck last week, but next week they can get a free lunch at a Chicago brewpub.

Horse Thief Hollow is an award-winning craft brewery and restaurant on Chicago's South Side.Horse Thief Hollow

Horse Thief Hollow Brewing Co, in Chicago’s far South Side neighborhood of Beverly, is offering free lunches all next week to furloughed federal workers.

Owner Neil Byers, who has several friends who are furloughed federal workers, said he woke up last week to the news that no progress was being made on ending the government shutdown.

“I just made up my mind to try to do something to help these people who are dealing with this problem though no fault of their own,” he said Saturday in a telephone interview.

He knows that some workers are going to be forced into taking out loans to pay their mortgages. And going out to eat won’t be high on the list of things to do.

So he decided to offer a free lunch between Jan. 14 and Jan. 18 to furloughed federal workers and posted news of the “Shutdown Special” on the restaurant’s Facebook page.

“No matter which side of the aisle you stand on, no one should have to go without pay for weeks at a time to satisfy political ideologies or egos,” the Facebook post reads. “The welfare of hardworking Americans should not be jeopardized or exploited for political gain. Do you hear us Donald J. Trump, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senator Mitch McConnell and Senator Chuck Schumer?“

The “Shutdown Special” will be available between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday for furloughed workers who present their government IDs, for lunches valued at up to $15, alcohol not included.

Furloughed federal workers are being offered a free lunch next week at a Chicago restaurant.Horse Thief Hollw

Byers notes he had some concern about getting involved in political divisiveness, but added, “We needed to do something to support our friends and neighbors.”

“Why aren’t these politicians the ones on furlough,” he said. “Why are good people being impacted.”

Beverly is a small, close-knit community on the city’s South Side, known for its historic district and architecturally notable homes. Horse Thief Hollow, opened in early 2013, is an award-wining craft brewery with an elevated pub menu.

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A Chicagoan by birth and by choice, I'm happy to be on the road exploring new destinations, especially in February, often the grimmest of the city's winter months. I hold bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism, and have spent much of my career in news working for The...